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FSCLAF is hosting 2 Separate In-person Wills & Estate Planning Clinics! Florida ☀️
Register for Friday Here! Friday October 9th, 2026 - Marion County Extension Service Ocala, FL Register for Saturday Here! Saturday October 10th, 2026 - Greenshade A.M.E. Church Quincy, F Overview Join us for an Estate Planning Clinic to take the first steps toward protecting your family property and legacy. Wills & Estate Planning Clinic Farmers and landowners in Florida are invited to join the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund for an upcoming Wills &
Coop Econ 2026 Registration Open! October 15th - 17th - Epes, AL
CoopEcon 2026 is part of an ongoing effort to connect coops across the South and to build strong and sustainable cooperative economies! October 15th - 17th Rural Training and Research Center, Epes, Alabama Time & Agenda: listed in registration Many communities today are facing challenges such as limited economic opportunities, rising costs, and the loss of local ownership. Cooperatives offer a practical way for people to work together, meet shared needs, create opportunities
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Appoints Richard Benderson as Interim State Coordinator for Florida
Read Full Here October 6, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Briar Blakley Director of Communications & Member Relations Phone: 404-765-0991 communications@federation.coop Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Atlanta, Georgia — The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (the Federation) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Benderson as Interim State Coordinator for the Florida Field Office on a temporary assignment, effecti
Latest News Around the Federation
New Webinar Series! Co-op Solutions
Join us for a four-part webinar series exploring cooperative solutions to economic, environmental, and social challenges facing rural communities across the South. This series brings together Federation members, staff, and partners, including Braiding Seeds Fellowship and Soul Fire Farm, to share practical examples, lessons learned, and proven strategies for cooperative problem solving. Whether you are a farmer, landowner, cooperative member, or community advocate, these sess
FSC/LAF
Mar 201 min read
Register Now: Coop Symposium 2026!
We're inviting you to join us for our 8th Annual Coop Symposium, April 17th, 2026, in Epes Alabama at the Federation's Rural Training & Research Center! WHAT TO EXPECT! Participants will convene in state-based breakout sessions during this year’s symposium to explore the policies, challenges, and opportunities shaping cooperative development in their regions. Through collaborative dialogue, attendees will help define a shared vision and set of advocacy priorities to strengt
FSC/LAF
Mar 181 min read
Federation Engages Mellissa Craig to Guide Next Phase of SOCO Marketing Efforts
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is proud to reintroduce SOCO Marketing LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary and regional marketing system dedicated to expanding market opportunities for Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives across its seven-state footprint. This next chapter is about building stronger, more coordinated pathways from farm to market. Many producers face common challenges securing consistent buyers, meeting larger volume requirements, navigating logist
FSC/LAF
Mar 171 min read
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Welcomes Nya-Simone Caldwell as Land Retention Specialist for the State of Mississippi
Originally published: January 5, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Atlanta, Georgia — The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Nya-Simone Caldwell as Land Retention Specialist for its Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MAC) office. Nya-Simone is a Louisiana native whose work centers on dispute resolution, property-related matters, and community-centered advocacy. She is committed to supporting individuals and famil
FSC/LAF
Mar 161 min read
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Welcomes Frederick Carter as New Director of Finance
Originally Published: November 17, 2025 Atlanta, Georgia — The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Frederick (Fred) Carter as its new Director of Finance, effective November 17, 2025. Fred brings to the Federation’s executive leadership team a decade of progressive experience in accounting, in addition to his background in government financial management and nonprofit administration. Fred holds a Bachelor of Bus
FSC/LAF
Mar 161 min read
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